ANGARA PUSHES FOR INTEGRATED EV AND RE SYSTEM

In light of the recent succession of oil price hikes, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on Filipino scientists and engineers to help promote "green transport" by creating and improving technologies for vehicles that use renewable sources of energy.

He said that the Philippines and Taiwan have sealed a partnership for EV development through a National Green Transport System. Angara announced that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) have agreed to cooperate for Electric Vehicle (EV) Development during the 17th Philippine-Taiwan Joint Economic Conference (JEC).

"We should begin to harness wind, solar, and water energy for energy that will power our homes and businesses, as well as for our transport fleet," he said.

Angara urged the government to realize that this is a worthwhile long-term investment that would yield enormous gains for the country in terms of lessening oil importation, stabilizing volatile pump and food prices, reducing pollution and the resulting health risks, and enhancing overall energy self-sufficiency.

"Of course, RE technology is expensive, but nothing new comes cheap," said Angara, who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. "We should stop looking at immediate gain and start making long-term considerations. Renewable energy requires more sacrifices and it takes a certain amount of time to start up, but it is our best and most efficient option in the long run."

The Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), which Angara chairs, is also at the forefront of creating and commercializing integrated RE and EV technologies, especially indigenous ones such as the e-jeepney and the bamboo electric bike.

"The Green Transport System that we envision involves using renewable energy sources like geothermal, solar, wind or biofuels to charge electric public utility vehicles like e-jeepneys, e-trikes and hybrid vehicles," said Angara.

He continued, "Taiwan is committed to help us establish an EV framework that will make this possible. We should make the most out of this opportunity to learn from and work with one of Asia's EV leaders."